Door-releasing mechanism



Jan. 10, 1928.

w. M. KARR' DOOR RELEASING MECHANISM Filed June 16. 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 gwucntoz M'f'nesses C"\6- CM weak.

GHQ: new

Jan. 10, 1928.

- w. M. KARR DOOR RELEASING MECHANISM Filed June 16. 1925 4 Shqets-Sheet 2 Jan. 10, 1928. 1,655,703

w. M. KARR DOOR RELEASING MECHANISM v Filed June 16. 1925 4 Shee ts-S heet 5 F 4-" C liq-Q. ml in;

, 1,655,703 W. M. KARR DOOR RELEASING MECHANISM Filed June 16 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 miwesaea a 2 a 65 CM d 7 61m: new

Patented Alan. 10, 1928.

PATENT: OFFICE,

VWILLIAM M. xnnnoreornnnnnne, NEBRASKA.

DQQR-RELEASING MECHANISM.

Application filed June 16, 1925 Serial No. 37,550.

This invention relatesbroadly to door or gate operating mechanisms and more parties ularly to a novel means for releasing a gate or door, of the type disclosed in my Patent 1,536,867 issued to me May 5, 1925.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a novelmechanism torreleasing an automatic opening door from a point distant from the door,-whereby the necessity of a driver 01": a vehicle approaching the door getting out of his vehicle to operate the door latch is eliminated.

A. further object of the invention is 'to provide a vehicle operated means and a hand. operated means arranged at a point remote from the door or gate for permitting the actuation of the door or gate releasing mechanism, so as to permit the automatic opening of the said door or gate.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel means for positively locking the door against opening movement at a point remote therefrom, said means includinga key operated bolt.

A ifurther object of the invention is to provioe means "tor releasing the automatically opening door at a point remote therefrom including a conventional door latch normally holding the door in a closed position, and novel n'ieansincluding a vehicle wheel operated trip arranged at a point re-' mote from the door for operating said door latch. i

A further object of the invention is the provision oi a locking bolt'arranged in spaced relation to the door latch for engag--- ing the automatically opening door for normally holding the door in a closed position, and manual means for operating the bolt at a point remote therefrom including a swinging lever, novel means being provided for operatively connecting said bolt with the door latch for permittingthe synchronous operation of the latch and bolt upon operation of said lever. i

A further object of the invention is the provision oi: a key operating bolt for engaging the lever to normally hold the same against operation by unauthorized persons. A further object or the invention is the provision of a novel means for operatively connecting the said bolt and door latch toi'il@l. so that the latch can be operated in daiendent of the bolt and actuating means therefor without interfering with said machanism. I a

A still further. object of the invention: is to provide a novel means for'opening a garage door at a point remote therefrom,

of the above ch aracter, which isozf an ex ceptionally simple and durable construction,

and which will entirely eliminate the difiiculties heretobeforeexperienced in the ma nipulationof garage doors. Y

. With these and other objects in view', the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed, and illustrated in the accompanymg drawings, in which drawings:

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the garage with the automatic opening door incorporated therewith, and the means for releasing said door, the drive way for the garage being shown in section.-

Figure 3 is a detail horizontal section through theuppcr end of the hollow post or column utilized for supporting thema'nual means for releasing the door, the section being taken on the line 33 of Figure 1' looking in the direction ofthe arrows, and showing the hand releasing lever and'the means for holding-the lever in its locked position against movement.

Figure 4 is avertical section through said column or post taken on'the line H of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a horizontal section taken through said post on the line 5-5 of Figure 4 looking in thedirection of the arrows illustrating the means of connecting the hand lever operated shaft with the pull cable for releasing the door bolt. 7

Figure 6 is a detail vertical, section taken on the line 66 ofFigure 3 looking inthe direction of the arrows showing the key operated bolt for holding the lever in its inoperative position againstinovement.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective view partly in section on the upper end of the column or post showing the locking bolt ofthe lever and the means for normally urging the said bolt to an elevated position.

Figure 8 a fragmentary elevation of the Figure l is a side elevation of a garage and drive way leading to the garage showmg the: inventlon incorporated therewith.

said column or post illustrating the inner face thereof.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary side elevation of one corner of the door frame, showing the door latch incorporated therewith.

Figure 10 is a vertical section taken on the line l10 of Figure 9 looking in the direction of the arrows illustrating the door latch, locking bolt and the means for actuating the same.

Figure 11 is a section taken on the line 1l-11 of Figure looking in the direction of the arrows, illustrating the means for synchronously connecting the door boltand latch together and showing the novel means for permitting the free operation oftlie door latch, without interfering with the bolt opcrating mechanism.

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 11., showing the door bolt in an extended locking position and a comiecting plate in operative engagement with the door latch for permitting the synchronous operation of the latch with the bolt upon actuation of said bolt.

Figure 13 is a detail horizontal section taken on the line l8-18 of Figure 12 showing the door locking bolt and the means for retracting the same.

Figure 14 is a detail horizontal section taken on the line 1414: of Figure 9 showing the door latch and the retracting means therefor.

Figure 15 is a detail vertical section through the door frame taken on the line 1515 of Figure 2 showing the means for permitting the automatic closing of a circuit upon the opening of the ,door.

Figure 16 is a detail perspective view of the drive way, showing the vehicle operated crank incorporated therewith.

'Ref-erring to the. drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A indicates a rage, which can be of the conventional type, B the garage door, which is of the automatic opening type as disclosed in my prior patent, heretobefore mentioned, and C the means for releasing the door at a point distant therefrom to permit the automatic opening of said door.

The garage A as stated, can be of any desired construction and includes a door frame 20 for receiving the door B. This frame 20 is carried in a conventional manner by the front wall 21 of the garage and embodies the door posts 22 and 23. v

In view of the fact, that the door B is of substantially the same character, as the door shown in the mentioned patent, the same will not be described in detail, but it is to be noted that the same includes the pair of hingedly connected sections 25 and 26, and that the section 26 is hingcdly connected as at 27 to the door post Spring means 28 is provided for normally swinging the door section 26 to an open position, and spring means 29 is provided for normally swinging the door section 25 on the section 26. A spring pressed pivoted catch. 30 is carried by the upper end of the door frame for normally engaging a latch plate 31 carried by the section 26 on the door which normally holds the door section 26 against swinging movement. A strike plate 32 is carried. by the doorsection 25 for operating the pivoted catch for releasing the same, when the sec tion 25 is swung on the section 26, to permit the free swinging movement of the said section 26.

The means for holding the door section against normal swinging movement forms a part of the present invention, and will be described in detail.

A bracket 33 extends forwardly from the garage and is arranged in the path of the door B .to limit the swinging movement thereof and a releasable catch 3% is pivot-a ly carried by the door section 26 and is adapted to extend through the section 25, when the section is folded thereon for, engaging the bracket to hold the door in its fully open position. A catch 35 is also carried by the section 25 for engaging a suitable keeper carrier by the door section 26 to hold the sections in locked position relative to one another during the opening movement of the door, after the section 25 has been swung to its open position against the door sec tion 26.

The means for holding the door l3 in its closed position against normal opening movement by the springs 29 and 28 embodies a door catch 40 which is of substantially the same construction as the ordinary door latch. By referring to Figure 14:, it can be seen that the door catch 4E0 embodies a spindle i1 rotatably mounted within the door frame. The opposite ends of the spindle ll have secured thereto suitable inner and outer manipulating knobs and a3. The casing for the door catch indicated b the reference character ist is bolted within the door post 22 and thiscasing slidabl v receives the latch bolt l5 which is normally urged to a projecting position by aspring 46. This latch bolt is adapted to fit in a suitable socket or keeper plate ll; -;:onntersunk within the door jam. The spindle is operatively connected with the latch bolt to permit the retracting thereof upon the turning of either one of the knobs l2 and 4321s in the conventional door lock construction. i is to be noted however that the inner knob is provided with an inwardly projecting pin 47 for a purpose, which will be hereinafter more fully described.

The novel means C for releasing the door embodies a vehicle operated crank 48 which ilu lflll lower end thereof.

is disposed at one side of the longitudinal center of the drive way 49 leading to the garage. The crank 48' is placed in the direct path of the wheels of a vehicle going up the drive way and this crank is formed on a suitable shaft 50 which is rotatably mounted in bearing 51 which can be secured to the drive way in any desired manner. It is to be noted that the drive way 49 is provided with side curbs 52, but these curbs can be of course elin'xinated without departing from the spirit of the invention- One terminal of the shaft 50 extends through one curb 52 and is provided with a crank arm 53, the upper end of which has secured thereto a pull cable 54. This cable 54 is led through a suitable conduit 55, formed of metal or the like and the conduit extends along the drive way and is preferably buried in the ground, so as to be normally hid from view. The forward end of this conduit 55 is provided with an arcuate upturned outer end 56 which extends above the ground level and points toward the said crank arm. The inner end of the conduit 55 is provided with an upturned end 57 which extends through the floor of the garage into the same directly in rear of the door post 22. The extreme upper end of this section of the conduit can beflared as at 58 and this flared end faces the inner door knob 42. The inner end of the pull cable 54 is trained about a guide pulley 59 secured to the side wall of the garage A and the cable is then secured to the door knob 42 at the It is obvious that a pull on the said lever will operate the knob so as to rock the spindle 41 and thus retract the.

latch bolt 45. hen a vehicle is driven up the drive way 49 one of the front wheels thereof will. strike the treadle or crank 48 causing the rocking movement thereofand the shaft 50 which will move the crank arm 53 in a direction toward the garage causing a pull on the cablec54, which as stated will retract the bolt. This will allow the automatic opening movement of the door B under the influence of the springs 29 and 28. The lower end of the crank 53 is provided with a weight 60 which normally tends to hold the crankarm 53 and the treadle or crank 48 in a raised position. It is tobe noted that when a vehicle is being driven down the drive way away from the garage, that the treadle 48 will be rocked in a direction away from the garage which will cause no movement of the cable 54 as the cable will simply flex and no pull will be exerted thereon. A contractile coil spring 54 is secured tothe cable 54 and normally tends to hold the cable taut.

The means C also embodies a novel device for preventing the opening movement of the door by unauthorized persons, which also can be operated at a point'remote from the garage.

point intermediate its ends, as at .64'on a.

suitable bracket carried by the inner face of the wall 21. A relatively long swinging lever 66 is provided for actuating the lock bolt lever 63 and this lever is mounted in a vertical plane. at right angles to the lever 63. The swinging lever 66 is rockably mounted at a point intermediate its ends above the lever '63 on a pivot bolt 67 carried by, the front wall 21 and this lever 66 is adapted to be rockedby a pull cable 68 as will be hereinafter more fully described. The lever 66 is connected at its lower end by. a. link 66 to the outer end of the lever 63. A relatively strong contractile coil spring 69 is secured to the lower end of the lever 66 and tea bracket 70 carried by the inner face of the wall 21 and normally tends to hold the locking bolt 61 in a retracted position out of the pathof the door B. The cable 68 is extended through asuitable conduit 71 which extends from the garage to a hollow post or column 72 located in advance of the rock shaft 50' at a point remote from the garage door. This conduit 71 is also preferably buried in the ground, so as to be out of sight of the casual observer and leads into thebottom wall of the said post or column 72. The hollow post or column 72 is arranged at one side of the drive way 49 within easy reach of the driverof a vehicle approaching the garage; This post is in the nature of a casing for the meansforoperating the pull. cable and embodies a bodyportion 73 with an enlarged head 74 for housing the key operated locking mechanism as will be later described. It is to be noted thatthe lower end of the hollow post or column 72 is provided with a base 75 which is secured in any preferred manner to the ground. Rockably mounted within the post or column 7 3 is an upright rockshaft 76 which is rotatably supported by a suitable bearing 77 carried by upper and lower partition plates 78 and '79. The lower end of the said rock shaft 76 is provided with a crank arm 80 to which is attached the outer end of the pull cable 68. The upper end of therock shaft 76 directly above the partition 78 is provided with a hand lever 81 which projects through a slot 82 formed in the inner wall of the said post at the upper end thereof; The extreme outer end of the lever 81 is provided with a hand grip 83 to ermit the swinging thereof; By manipulation of the lever 81 the shaft 76 can be rocked which will cause a pull on the cable 68 against the tension of the spring 69. This will rock the levers 66 and 63 causing the pushing out of the bolt 61 for preventing opening movement of the door.

In accordance with this invention means is provided for locking the hand lever 81 against movement when the same has been moved to force the bolt 61 outward against said spring 69 for causing the locking of the door .in its closed position against opening movement by unauthorized persons.

This means includes a key operated lock 85 arranged within the upper end or head 74 of the hollow post or column 72. The key operated lock 85 includes a casing 86 having slidably mounted therein a lock bolt 87 the upper end of which is normally arranged in the path of the swinging movement of the hand lever 81 and the upper edge of the lock bolt 87 is'provided with an inclined surface 88 so that the bolt can be forced downward when the lever is swung toward the same for forcing the locking bolt 61 of the door outward. An expansion spring 89 is provided for normally holding the bolt 87 in a raised position in the path of the said hand lever, shown in Figure 7 of the drawings. While any type of key operating means can be provided for retracting the bolt 88, the same, as disclosed includes a laterally extending pin 90 secured to the bolt which projects outwardly of the lock casing 86 into a suitable slot 91. The inner face of the post or hollow column 72 is provided with a key hole 92 for permitting the insertion of a key in the post and a guide and stop pin 93 is carried by the lock casing 86 directly above the pin 90 for receiving the barrel of the key. The pin 90 is arranged in the path of the key bit and'upon turning movement of the key it is obvious that the bolt will be depressed for releasing the hand lever. The hand lever is provided with a slot 9% through which the bolt 87is adapted to project to hold the said hand lever against movement as heretobefore described. Attention is directed to the fact that when the lever 81 is swung away from the garage, that a pull will be exerted on the cable 68 causing the projection of the lock bolt 61 and that upon reverse movement of the hand lever the bolt 61 will be retracted by the spring 69. This will allow the opening movement of the door and it is to be understood that the bolt 61 is operatively connected by means, which will be hereinafter described, with the latch bolt as for permitting the synchronous retraction thereof with the lock bolt. The pull on the cable 68 is such, that the hand lever 81 only has to be operated a slight distance for permitting the projection of the lock bolt and the retraction thereof, so that it is not necessary to move the said hand of the lever 66 for movcn'ient therewith and the lower edge of the plate is provided with a relatively wide notch 97 for receiving the pin 47 carried by the inner knob 12 of the door latch heretobefore mentioned. This notch 97 defines a relatively wide nose 98 on the forward end of the plate which is adapted to normally rest upon the said pin and allow the normal operation of the door latch when the lock bolt 61 is in its retracted position. The pin 47 will simply ride on the nose 98 and thus cause no movement of the said lever 66 and the lock bolt.

In operation of the improved device, when it is desired to lock the door against opening movement by unauthorized persons, the hand lever 81 is moved away from the door until the bolt'8'7 of the lock rides in the slot 94: formed in the said hand lever which will hold the lever againt movement. During movement of the said lever a pull will be exerted on the cable 68, which asstated is secured to the lower end of the swinging lever 66. This will rock the lever 66 on its pivot against the tension of the spring 69 causing manipulation of the lever 63 through the connecting link-66. The projection of the lock bolt 61 will hold the door B against movement and the bolt is held against retraction by thespring 69 due to the fact that the hand lever 81 is held against swinging movement. VThe rocking of the lever 66 will cause the carrying of the plate. 95 toward the door latch 40 and when the notch 97 reaches the pin 17 the plate will drop so as to cause the riding of the pin into the said notch. Upon release of the lever 81 the spring 69 will exert a quick pull on the swinging lever 66 causing the retraction of the lock bolt 61 and a pull on the plate 95 which will operate the inner knob 12 of the door latch causing the operation of the latch to permit the opening of the said door. lit is to be noted that the wall of the notch 97 which engages the said pin vehicle operated trip as well as a hand operated lever. I In order to operate a signal or to light an electric lamp 99 within the garage A, when the door B is opened, a suitable circuit tion when the said section is closed. The

bodies a normally projecting plunger 100 arranged in the path of the door section 26 which holds the plunger in a retracted position when the said section is "closed. The plunger 100 is slidably mounted in and insulated from a casing 101' carried by the upper end of the door frame. A wire 102'and a wire 103 is connected respectively to'the plunger and casing and the plunger has "a collar 105 formed thereon, which is adapted to engage stop shoulders 104; on the casing'when the plunger is projected. It is thus obvious that when the door is open that a circuit will be closed by the engagement of the collar with the shoulders.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention, but

What I claim as new is: I

l. The combination with a garage hav-- ing a door, ofa door latch for engaging the door to hold the same against opening movement, a door bolt for engaging the door to hold the same against opening movement, a hand lever for operating the bolt arranged at a point remote from the garage, and means for operatively connecting the bolt and the door latch to permit the synchronous operation thereof.

2. The combination with a garage having a door, of a door latch for normally holding the door against swinging movement, a normally retracted door bolt, means including a hand lever arranged at a point remote from the garage for forcing the door bolt to a projecting position in engagement with the door, and means for operatively connecting the door bolt with the door latch, when the bolt is in its projected position for causing the synchronous actuation of said bolt and door latch upon movement of the door bolt.

8. The combination with a garage having a door, of a door latch carried by the door frame including a sliding latch bolt for engaging the door to hold the same against opening movement, a spindle extending through the door frame for operating the latch bolt, knobs on the opposite ends of the spindle, a pin secured to the inner knob at one side of the spindle, a normally retracted door adapted to be projected to re tain the door closed, an actuating lever for the door bolt, a swinging lever disposed at' right angles to the first mentioned lever pivotally mounted at a point intermediate its ends, a link connecting the lower end of the swinging lever to the first mentioned lever, means including a hand lever arranged at a point remote from the garage for actuating the swinging lever, a cable operatively connected to the hand lever and to the swinging lever, and a pivoted plate carriedby theupper end of'the lever having a notch therein for receiving the pin or;

said inner knob when the door bolt is in its projected position for operating the latch bolt synchronous withthe door bolt upon movement of said hand lever.

at. The combination with a garage having a door, of a normally retracted door bolt adapted to be projected to retain the door closed, a manually operable member operatively connected to the door bolt for projectingthe same and mounted remote from the garage at one s'ide'of the driveway leading thereto, and means to lock said manually operable member in bolt projecting position. I,

5. The combination with a arage having a door, of a normally retracted bolt adapted to be projected to retain theldoor closed, a hand lever operatively connected to the bolt for projecting the same and mounted remote from the garage at one side of the drive way leading thereto and a key operated lock bolt arranged in the path of said lever to lock the same against movement in bolt projecting position. j

6. The combination with agarage' having adoor, of a normally retracted door bolt adapted to be projected to retainthe door closed, a manually operable swinging lever operatively connected to the bolt for projecting the same and mounted remote from the garage at one side of the drive way leading thereto and a lock arranged at one side of the lever including a normally raised lock bolt adapted to be depressed by the lever when the same is moved to bolt projecting position, the lever having a slot therein to receive the said locking bolt, and key operating means for releasing said last mentioned bolt.

7 The combination with a garage having a door, of a normally retracted door bolt adapted to be projected to retain the door closed, a manually operable lever mounted at a point remote from the garage at one side of the drive way leading-thereto, a hollow post, a rock shaft mounted within thepost carrying said lever, a crank arm on the lower end of said rock shaft, and means including a cable extending from said crank arm for operatively connecting the rock shaft with the door bolt, said lever adapted to project the bolt when moved to one position, and a key operated lock mounted 'in said hollow post for locking said lever retain the door closed, an operating lever rockably secured to the garage at a point intermediate its ends having one end secured to the inner end of the bolt, a swinging lever pivotally secured to the garage at right angles to the first mentioned lever, a link connecting the levers together, spring means engaging the lower end of the swinging lever for normally holding the bolt in a retracted position, a cable secured to the swinging lever at the lower end thereof for moving the bolt to a projecting position when a pull is exerted thereon, a hollow post arranged remote from the garage at one side of the drive way leading thereto, a rock shaft mounted in said hollow post, a crank arm secured to the lower end of the rock shaft, the forward end of the cable being secured to said crank arm, a conduit for the cable, a lever secured to the upper end of the rock shaft having a hand grip formed on the outer end thereof projecting from said hollow shaft, and a key operated bolt for engaging said hand lever to hold the same against movement to maintain the door bolt in projecting position.

9. The combination with a garage having a door, a door latch for retaining the door in a closed position including a latch bolt, a spindle for operating the latch bolt, knobs on the opposite ends of the spindle, the inner end of the spindle being provided with a pin arranged at one side of the spindle, of a normally retracted door bolt adapted to be projected to retain the door closed, an operating lever rockably mounted at a point intermediate its ends to the garage having its outer end connected to said lock bolt, a swinging lever varranged at right angles to thebperating lever, rockably mounted at a point intermediate its ends and having its upper end arranged adjacent to the door latch and its lower end adj acent to the operating lever, a link connecting the lower end of the swinging lever to the inner end of the operating lever, spring means connected to the lower end of the swinging lever for normally retaining the bolt in a retracted position, a manually operable member operatively connected to the lower end of the lever forprojecting the bolt and mounted remote from the garage at one side of the drive way leading thereto, means i to lock said manually operable member in bolt projecting position, and a pivoted plate secured to the upper end of the swinging lever having a notch formed therein for receiving the pin on said inner knob of the door latch when the bolt is in its projected position for synchronously oper ating said door latch with the bolt when the same is retracted, and a nose formed on the inner end of the plate for normally engaging said pin when the bolt is in its retracted ture.

WILLIAM M. KARR.

permit the free operation of said 

